We will always write so that those who have no computer background can understand. The information below is organized in sections to allow advanced users to skip over material they already know.

Many people who have used computers for years or even decades may be familiar with common terminology without truly knowing what it means or how it all fits together. It is not absolutely necessary to know any of this; however, I find that understanding the big picture helps me to learn new subjects faster. Read on for hardware, software, operating systems, Linux, and Ubuntu.

HARDWARE:

PC – short for Personal Computer – either desktop (larger and stationary) or laptop (portable).

Software – the instructions that control what your hardware does – also called system software or software programs. Often also used when applications or application program is more accurate.

Application or Software Programs – collections of programming instructions used by your computer to do specific tasks. System software programs control the actions of your computer while application programs perform actions directly for the end user (you) or another application. For example, they allow us to view Web sites (using a Web browser program), write a letter (using a Word Processing Program), create a spreadsheet, and so on.

Open Source Software – software usually developed by placing the “source code” in a public venue where many can contribute to development and the end product is free software for anyone to use.

Source Code – the program language used to create software or the completed (or in-process) program code that controls what a software program can do.

OPERATING SYSTEMS:

Operating System – the management program that controls the other programs and hardware on a PC or personal computer.

GUI – the “graphical user interface” that allows you to use a mouse to point and click at graphics to control what your computer does. The Windows “GUI” is what made it easier for new users to learn to use computers.(All computers have either DOS or a type of UNIX running under what the user sees.)

LINUX:

Unix – a family of operating systems which includes Linux, AIX (IBM’s version), HP-UX, Solaris, etc.

Linux – Linux is the variety of Unix that serves as the free base operating system on which complete systems such as Ubuntu are built.

GNU aka GNU/Linux – the Linux operating system used by many Linux distributions.

Linux distribution – an operating system based on Linux which include a customized GUI and preloaded and configured applications to make it easier to use. Ubuntu is one of the most common Linux distributions .

Linux distro – short for Linux distribution

Kernel – the core of an operating system. The kernel is what allows your software programs to direct what the hardware in your computer does. Ubuntu uses the Linux kernel.

Linux Kernel – a core operating system based on Linux. All Linux distributions share the same Linux kernel.

UBUNTU:

(To understand Ubuntu see also the definitions under Linux immediately above.)

Ubuntu – considered by many to be easiest to learn for new computer users and those already familiar with Windows or Macs, Ubuntu is an Open Source operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux

Debian aka Debian GNU/Linux – the core Linux distribution upon which Ubuntu is built. Most Linux distros are based on either Debian or Fedora (formerly known as Red Hat).

Gnome – the GUI desktop used by the developers of Ubuntu. It controls what you see when you turn on your computer. Gnome is an acronym for GNU Network Object Model Environment. (Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron comes with Gnome as the default.)

Shell aka Linux shell – hopefully Ubuntu users will not need to understand how to use a Linux shell.

Understanding how all these terms fit together can be confusing when you read the help files or online information about Ubuntu. Here is the synopsis:

Ubuntu is built on the Gnome GUI desktop which uses the Debian distribution of the Linux kernel.

The latest version of Ubuntu is 8.04 called Hardy Heron. The previous version was 7.10 called Gutsy Gibbon.

Gail Gardner is the founder of GrowMap.com. She is a Small Business Marketing Strategist she mentors small businesses, bloggers, and freelancers.
After 23 years in the field with IBM and 5.5 years managing AdWords accounts, her focus shifted to small business marketing strategy. GrowMap.com is listed by Cision as a Top 100 Site for Marketers and has received three Small Business Influencer Awards from Small Business Trends. Named by D&B a Top 50 SMB Influencer on Twitter, you can follow Gail @GrowMap and on LinkedIn.

Comments

The article is very well explained and useful even for the people you are not from the computer background. These are the basic of the computer and revelant for the beginnners. Thanks for sharing such an informative article. Keep Sharing!!!

Thank you for sharing such valuable technical information with us!
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All above mentioned information that covers all Basic Tech Concepts like hardware, software and applications very useful actually!!Sandeep would love you to read ..Hard Disk Data Recovery with Useful Tips and Techniques

Thanks for helpful Gail Gardner. I understand basically about hardware, software and applications. Thanks a lot , hope you share more helpful article in future !Flatworlds would love you to read ..Top 10 Best 17 Inch Laptop Of 2017

The average Linux desktop user will need to know at-least some commands although thanks to the many guides and helpful people out there, they more than likely do not need to know the more complex commands. If you want to use Linux though chances are you will open a terminal at some point.Mike would love you to read ..Linux Commands With Examples

Yes, I do have to use terminal sometimes, but Linux would be a whole lot more popular if application developers always wrote auto-installers. They’re making a mistake assuming that everyone who wants to run Linux understands how to manually install applications. I still don’t, and I’ve been using Linux since before Windows 7 came out.Gail Gardner would love you to read ..Setting up Your For Hire Page: Do’s and Don’ts

I always had the doubt about the working of different operating systems and the ubuntu linux complex, surely all my doubts were cleared after reading this blog of yours. Please bring on more stuff like this. CheersAnees Salati would love you to read ..Best Computer Desk 2017 – Do NOT Buy Before Reading This!

Ah.. Linux.. Ubuntu.. I remember the early days. That command line 😉 thanks for sharing. This should really help save some time for my friends who are looking to switch OS in the foreseeable future!Hertfordshire would love you to read ..Ad-hoc IT Support; Paying By the Hour for Expert IT Support

Yes, if the Linux folks would realize all they have to do is make sure someone makes auto-installers available for applications a lot more people would use Linux. You don’t need the command line to use Linux just like you use Windows or Mac.

I made the mistake of having Ubuntu installed on my computers not realizing they switched to that horrible interface. I put Lubuntu on top of it, but I really need to get Cinnamon Mint installed and get rid of Ubuntu altogether.

This is a really good guide for some of the beginners trying to figure out the jargons of their computer. You should at least know how to reformat and repair your computer since it is necessary these days to save money from the cost of repairs.

I also worked with Redhat Linux a few years ago but just can’t get myself to install it again. Maybe once I have an old computer hanging around I’ll get it installed again to use it as a dependable server.Jack would love you to read ..Professional Photo Labs

Wow Impressive!
Your blog is very informative. However, it is pretty hard task but your post and experience serve and teach me how to handle and make it more simple and manageable.
Thanks for the tips… Best regards.
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Thank for this article,
Basic understanding of computer show how can operate computer , hardware knowledge describe which component is support for operating system. Application software are use for handling user requirement.

Wow, you have shown me that I have a lot to learn about computers. Thank you for your blog and posts, I need to go back and study this one some more and read your other posts. I have much learning to do about computers and I do not like to be dumb about them. Your blog is a very nice resource.

As i often need to write with my online site a little something the same as yours somehow you’ve made a number of nicely things here. I probably did searches on to the main subject and also discovered most visitors definitely will agree for your current blog.Great post!

actually i am from the software field so my knowledge about the hardware i pretty less and i think this post really help me in order to increase my knowledge and i must say that you always come with very knowledgeable post. keep it up.
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This is all a newbie in computer should read. It has all the comprehensive details on software and hardware paraphernalia. Thanks a lot!
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I got my ubuntu operating system CD from my friend. He had got it from a postal delivery from the request he made on ubuntu website. He got it online free. Thanks for this overview over software and operating system. I like this post.

I was always curious what ubuntu was. This article helped point me in the right direction to figure it all out. I’m gonna stick around for a minute and read more about it. I’ve always been curious about using a different operating system, just never gutsy enough to actually switch. I may though, if I feel comfortable enough.

really nice piece of information.really very useful fr a novice.it is very important to have computer knowledge.i like your contents.the way you explain operating system,hardware,software is great.thanks.

Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of presentation.
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This site has really worthy content to understand the hardware component of out PC. What is the work of different components in our system, we should know about that. Other wise our strain on computer is vain for us.

Well there are lots of parts are available on a Personal computer so that it is very important to know about all the parts. Operating system is a nice thing because it makes a coordination between the software and the hardware. Anyways keep it up and keep continue.

Linux grew from a very complicated os (from install to usage) to a very easy newbie friendly operating system. I think the most significant advantage aside from its simplicity is the file size which the whole os can fit into a small sized hard drive.With that advantage, many netbook manufacturers choose Ubuntu.

I think that most people have a pretty good understanding on software and hardware, but when it comes to Ubuntu and Linux then that’s another story.
.-= mark@XP Drivers´s last blog ..Alienware Drivers =-.

Many people are not aware of the terminology in the computer niche. I often troubleshoot my friends computers and when I ask them certain questions regarding hardware they seem to not know what I’m talking about. This is a good list of keywords to make others become familiar when working with computers.

Every time I try to help someone with their computer, it seems to be a vocabulary lesson. Perhaps I am too entrenched in the jargon of a computer, but compiling a list such as this one is nice because we can show it to people who are not too familiar and let them start picking up some of it.
.-= shae@Linux Forum´s last blog ..Wine’s release is late; good news? =-.

Yes, Ubuntu is as good as Windows and not any more difficult to USE and it comes with many applications that Windows users must pay for like Office. There are still some challenges in figuring out how to add some applications and many third party companies do not provide tech support for Unix-based systems.

If we do not wish to live beholden to monopolies we must do whatever it takes to reclaim our independence. My using Ubuntu is part of what I do to maintain my freedom of choice.

@ComputerGuy I love not using Ubuntu except when I get stuck – and that still happens. One day they’ll “get” it and make it easy enough for anyone who can point and click.

@Branded USB Sticks One of the reasons Ubuntu is so challenging to learn is that explanations mix names for various versions of Ubuntu with Debian and GNU and Gnome and GUI and lose anyone who doesn’t have a thorough understanding of the information on this page.

Just as we can drive a car without knowing how to rebuild the components – or even know what they are! – we should be able to use Ubuntu without understanding how to get to a command line.

Yes, I know that computer techs don’t understand why EVERYONE doesn’t know DOS. Sorry, we don’t and we do not WANT to know. We only want to USE a PC to DO something – not know how to fix it.

@Linux Thank you for leaving your link. We can use all the help we can get! I have added your site as an additional resource in this post.